×

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating accuracy-annotated searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations

  • US 8,917,288 B2
  • Filed: 07/25/2011
  • Issued: 12/23/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for generating an accuracy-referenced electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician, the method comprising:

  • A) digitally representing, on a display device, a location of at least one underground facility and/or at least one physical locate mark so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation as performed by the locate technician, the locate and/or marking operation comprising;

    receiving a locate request ticket identifying a dig area, wherein a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities; and

    in response to the locate request ticket, locating, and/or identifying using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within the dig area identified in the locate request ticket;

    B) digitally representing, on the display device, an accuracy of the represented location using at least one accuracy indicator overlaid on the electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation so as to generate an accuracy-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation; and

    C) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the accuracy-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation so as to generate the accuracy-referenced electronic record of the locate and/or marking operation.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×